| For Immediate Release Case # 08NF2333
May 4, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF SHOOTING-MURDER AT GRADUATION PARTY
SANTA ANA – A criminal street gang member has been convicted of the shooting-murder of a fellow gang member who was trying to leave the gang at a school graduation party. Luis Alberto Sanchez, 23, Anaheim, was found guilty by a jury yesterday, May 3, 2012, of one felony count of murder and one felony count of street terrorism with sentencing enhancements for committing murder for a criminal street gang purpose, causing great bodily injury, the personal discharge of a firearm, and personal discharge of a firearm causing death and great bodily injury. Sanchez faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing on June 8, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-29, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At 10:30 p.m. on June 13, 2008, Sanchez attended a graduation party at a home in Anaheim being held for middle and high school students. Sanchez, a gang member, ran into Miguel Reyes, a fellow gang member who was trying to separate himself from the gang. Sanchez confronted Reyes about his decision to leave the gang and his plans to join the military and get married.
During the argument, Sanchez pulled out a gun and shot Reyes in the chest. As Reyes tried to run away, Sanchez shot him again, hitting him in the lower back. Reyes ran outside where he collapsed and died.
After shooting and murdering Reyes, Sanchez fired off several more bullets into the crowd, one of which struck a second victim in the back of the head. The second victim, John Doe, is not a gang member. John Doe underwent brain surgery and was in a coma for several days. He remained in the hospital for multiple weeks, and continues to have impaired ability.
The Anaheim Police Department investigated this case. Senior Deputy District Attorney Colleen Crommett of the Gang Unit is prosecuting this case.
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